by Peter West

How strange this disparate group of musicians; to build friendship and trust through disembodied voices and small moving pictures.

Within six months, musicians from around the world have travelled through the internet into the unknown, like Alice sliding into Wonderland, and have created a family-like bond, destined to remain embedded in their lives indefinitely.

It is in the character of humans to be cautious in giving their loyalty, their friendship, their love; injudicious relationships can give rise to betrayal, hurt, and anger. Yet the Jamulus family, the Jamily as it has become known, has given freely of its time, its expertise, its friendship. No-one is perfect, we all have cracks, but a family doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be united. (Having said that, blessed are the cracked for they let in the light.) The Jamily is as a good friend in helping each individual, ‘to find important things when you have lost them…your smile, your hope, and your courage.’[1]

Daily, we find former strangers  bantering and sharing as if they have known each other since childhood, frequently using their second language (a courtesy greatly appreciated by those, like me, who failed to listen at school and hold the illogical expectation that everybody speaks English).

How has this almost instant rapport arisen? A shared interest can encourage continued involvement. However, when you see the level of musical expertise that exists, the tendency in the real world is, frequently, to back off; to withdraw and not let yourself be open to humiliation by other, more adept, musicians. The joy of the Jamily is that this doesn’t happen.

I have met and played with more outstanding musicians than would ever be possible in the real world. I listen to, and wonder at: the power and range of the singers; the skill and sympathetic playing of the musicians; the intricate, thought-out solos; the off-the-cuff jamming; the meshing of thoughts, ideas and technical ability; the help and suggestions made to improve a song; the constructive criticism that improves an individual’s ability; the capacity of those who can jam across the globe despite high latency.

Added to this is the constant thought, and trials, of the technically gifted people who have improved Jamulus and the World Jam, and made online jamming possible, even essential. So much so that I, and I suspect many others, simply ride their expertise without knowing how it’s done; appreciating every advance and improvement even though we may not recognise it.

The World Jam is the culmination of this. How many of us fire up the computer, click on to Jamulus, set up Zoom, get sound-checked and then dash to the waiting room to see who’s around? The backstage banter can be as important as the performances. I believe it provides the dopamine rush experienced at live gigs with trusted band-members and an enthusiastic audience. This is because it makes us happy. Jamulus has the power to make people happy; the world needs more of that.

The Jamily: Inclusive. Compassionate. Supportive. What real life should be like. 

---

[1] Doe Zantamata